[[http://​www.grzsoftware.com|MeshCAM V5]] will read the STL file and generate a series of tool paths for machining the object. ​ This can be one or two sided, and will even generate indexed files when we get the 4th axis on the Badog. ​ MeshCAM can read a variety of files including DXF/.DWG and can even turn bitmaps into a 3D model.

[[http://​www.grzsoftware.com|MeshCAM V5]] will read the STL file and generate a series of tool paths for machining the object. ​ This can be one or two sided, and will even generate indexed files when we get the 4th axis on the Badog. ​ MeshCAM can read a variety of files including DXF/.DWG and can even turn bitmaps into a 3D model.

At this point I generally run the output through [[http://​www.cutviewer.com|Cutviewer]],​ a CNC simulator that allows you to see exactly what the G-Code does in what order, and let's you see what the result will look like. This includes a single step debugger for hardware machining!

At this point I generally run the output through [[http://​www.cutviewer.com|Cutviewer]],​ a CNC simulator that allows you to see exactly what the G-Code does in what order, and let's you see what the result will look like. This includes a single step debugger for hardware machining!

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===> Take G-Code and load it into Mach3

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=> Take G-Code and load it into Mach3

[[http://​www.machsupport.com/​software/​mach3/​|Mach3]] will take the G-Code and execute it. At this point it's really important to ensure that your co-ordinates are aligned with the block of material you want to cut, otherwise you will, really accurately, cut in the wrong place.

[[http://​www.machsupport.com/​software/​mach3/​|Mach3]] will take the G-Code and execute it. At this point it's really important to ensure that your co-ordinates are aligned with the block of material you want to cut, otherwise you will, really accurately, cut in the wrong place.